THE DANIEL PLAN by Rick Warren, Daniel Amen M.D., Mark Hyman M.D.

    The best way to explain The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life is a lifestyle makeover how to. I am not by any stretch of the imagination a “diet professional” thus it was the title that attracted my attention.  That said if I wanted to lose a few pounds this is the book I would choose to read.

    The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life reads more like a motivational book than a health and nutrition guideline. The first few chapters are dedicated to establishing the proper mindset for wanting to lose weight. Yet, these foundational words are more than preparation for weight loss it is the basis of changing the way the reader does life.

    Understanding the five “F’s”: faith, food, fitness, focus and friends help the reader realize the ultimate goal which is a lifestyle adjustment which will lead to a healthier person. 

    Admittedly I cannot tell you if the precepts were successfully for me since it takes more than  a day of reading to make the necessary adjustments. What I can tell you is that the basis of The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life  is solid and well worth investigating.  It is my intention to incorporate the principles introduced and the suggestions presented into my own life which means the book is well worth the read.

    I recommend The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life. For purposes of the review I was presented with an eBook which means that I will have to invest in a print copy for personal use.  My one hesitancy is personal,  I read numerous motivational material thus the first few chapters were a bit wordy HOWEVER  please do not let this discourage you.  xxx Marsha L Randolph

FOOT NOTE: There is a corresponding Study Guide

       

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion. 

NIV ESSENTIALS STUDY BIBLE

    It is difficult to describe such an awesome Bible in 300 words or less without omitting some interesting feature yet I will give it a try.  THE NIV Essentials Study Bible aptly named because for anyone studying the Word this is an essential tool.

    I have read quite a few Bible translations from Genesis to Revelations on more than one occasion, this includes having read the New International Version a.k.a. NIV Bible at least twice. What the NIV Essentials Study Bible does is incorporate everything I need in one book.

Since I am currently studying the book of Isaiah in my personal Bible study this is the book I chose for review in order to make my assessment.  

• The Key Concepts is a great feature since it gives the reader an idea of what to expect.  The three bullet points were brief and significant.
• I truly appreciated the picture in the About section  which included a mini-history lesson.
• Key Verses are in other study Bibles that I own thus its’ placement was not a surprise but truly appreciated.
• It became obvious as I read the Key Teachings that the collaborators of the NIV Essentials Study Bible wanted the reader to focus on the Bible itself and not their opinions  as once again each bullet point was short and without commentary.
• What is not in any of my other study Bibles but a feature I love is Key Terms. 
• In addition to the personality profile People in Focus which is a detailed biography there is also an introductory mention of individuals to look for or People To Know.
• 
• A timeline is essential when you are studying the Bible thus When Did Things Happen is something a reader will want to review.   Compared to the timeline in my other study Bibles, I like this one better.
• Do you think it would be helpful to have a map in places where you need it and not at the end of the book? Well with NIV Essentials Study Bible  they are.

    As if this was not enough there are Q & A sections great for group or personal Bible study,  verse Commentaries,  Reflections and Response, verse highlights, historical tid-bits and so much more.

    This is my new favorite Bible. I recommend you purchase one for yourself and a friend. xxx Marsha L Randolph

I received a complimentary copy of this Bible in order to present my honest review of which I have.

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NIV RAGAMUFFIN BIBLE

Most Bible fanatics have notes throughout their favorite Bible and  love sharing these thoughts with others should the opportunity arise. Zondervan  has released a new New International Version  Bible called “NIV Ragamuffin Bible: Meditations for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Brokenhearted ”. Throughout  the NIV Ragamuffin Bible: Meditations for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Brokenhearted Brennan Manning shares some of his Bible notes.

Richard Francis Xavier Manning a.k.a. Brennan Manning was born April 27, 1934 and died just shy of his 79th birthday April 12, 2013.  As a Marine he served in the Korean war before graduating from Satin Francis University. In 1963 he was ordained a Franciscan priest.  During his life journey  this man who loved God became an alcoholic and overcame its’ stronghold.  

THE NIV Ragamuffin Bible: Meditations for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Brokenhearted contains reflections by Brennan Manning. Unlike other Bibles the thoughts and ideas do not distract from the readers ability to study independent of someone else’s commentary.  

A suggested reflection begins:

Psalm 84:3 “Home is that sacred space-external or internal where we don’t have to be afraid; where we are confident of hospitality and love…..”

That is just the first sentence of four, a simple thought that can lead to an hour meditation.  Yes, there are comments from Brennan Manning that are greater in depth none of which I found controversial.

I recommend this book to my readers, particularly if you know of someone going through an addiction.  It is well worth purchasing and an excellent tribute to a man of God

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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RETURN TO ME by Lynn Austin

I have never read a Lynn Austin book, I chose to read Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles) because I wanted to read a good novel and I enjoy reading Biblical fiction.  I just could not get into this novel, the pace is slow and my busy schedule was not conducive to allowing my imagination to take me away into the land of Old Testament times.

Faith and obedience are an obvious theme within the story as it pertains to the characters. Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles)by Lynn Austin is as the title implies a novel about God’s children turning from their worldly ways back to Him.

This is a book that requires not only some Biblical knowledge but also time to explore the various concepts woven within each chapter.  What makes a good novel is one that is pleasurable and makes you think unfortunately Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles) was not as pleasurable as I would have liked.  

Perhaps if I had had time to read the first four chapters uninterrupted thereby developing the proper foundation I might have been able to appreciate this book a little more. Unfortunately, I had to reread the first chapter twice because of interruptions.

This is a book you are either going to love or find OK, which makes it a good book but not a great one.  I recommend this book; I would suggest you check the book out of the library. xxx Marsha L Randolph

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

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INNOVATIONS DIRTY LITTLE SECRET by Larry Osborne

What is innovation? It is the introduction of something new be it an idea, a device, a procedure or such.  According to Larry Osborne there is  a little known principle associated with innovation and he shares this principle in his book Innovation's Dirty Little Secret: Why Serial Innovators Succeed Where Others Fail (Leadership Network Innovation Series).

As an individual who participates in multi-level marketing this Innovation's Dirty Little Secret: Why Serial Innovators Succeed Where Others Fail (Leadership Network Innovation Series) was and is a very helpful and informative book. I admit that some of the ideas presented I have, through experience, figured out for myself however it is good to know someone agrees with my theory.

If it is your intention of starting your own business Innovation's Dirty Little Secret: Why Serial Innovators Succeed Where Others Fail (Leadership Network Innovation Series) is a you really should read book. If you are thinking about or started a multi-level, network marketing, home based recruiting type, or follow the formula and you can succeed type business (whatever you want to call it they are pretty much the same) this book is a must read.

Every business is not for everyone thus it is necessary to enter into any venture with eyes wide open. This book will help you do this. If you started a business and things are not going well this book will help you make the one decision most recruiters will not discuss in a positive manor: an exit strategy. In addition to other principles important to contemplate Mr. Osborne discusses “the wall” something many have experienced. xxx  Marsha L Randolph 

I recommend this book. Purchase your own copy and give this to your team members as you recruit them.

I receive a complimentary copy of this book with the understanding that my review would be fair and honest. 

My Questions From The Book of Luke by M L Floyd

     It is a tough habit to break if you are accustomed to having someone tell you how to think. Most Bible studies assign a passage to read, a question to be answered and then the correct answer.  Not so with “MYQUESTIONS FROM THE BOOK OF LUKE” by M L Floyd

MY QUESTIONSFROM THE BOOK OF LUKE is exactly what the titles suggest a series of questions that were written  to challenge the readers traditional way of reading the Bible. 

For example: In Luke chapter 15 there is the story often entitled “The Prodigal Son”  M L Floyd directs the attention from the son to the father  when she ask:

"Do you believe God will meet you where you are?"

This question is followed by the verse Luke: 15:20 using the Expanded Bible.  Which includes a commentary within its’ text “[C-an undignified act for a family patriarch; evidence of his unrestrained love]”

Question, Bible Verse(s) and then a statement to Contemplate is the format for  this short eBook. In the above example the statement to contemplate is as follows:

"See above commentary: “an undignified act for a family patriarch; evidence of his unrestrained love”"

There is no right or wrong answer, the book is just a guide created to help  the reader discover Biblical truths. In not limiting herself to one particular Bible the reader engages in a personal Bible Study which will develop his or her own understanding.

This book is available via Smashwords in eBook format.

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THE 30 DAY PRAISE CHALLENGE by Becky Harling

If you do something long enough it goes past being a habit and becomes a lifestyle. THE 30 DAY PRAISE CHALLENGE by Becky Harling will help you develop a life of praise and worship. 

As a firm believer of spending more time giving God glory than a list of complaints I agree with The 30-Day Praise Challenge 100%.  One of the reasons why I appreciated this book is because it was written by someone who has been there and done that. 

This book is an excellent response to those who are going through difficult times and believe that prayer and fasting is the solution. Read this book and spend your time praising not petitioning.

I am a firm believer in the power of praise reading The 30-Day Praise Challenge will help guide a believer in Jesus live a more satisfying life and develop a much better relationship with Father God.

I recommend you purchase this book and I would suggest you purchase a copy for anyone you know who is going through a difficult time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.